Side Turkey Sightseeing: Ruins, Temples and More

Side is a unique open-air museum where ancient Greek and Roman ruins sit seamlessly alongside modern shops and Mediterranean beaches. To see the best of Side, you should focus on the Temple of Apollo, the massive Roman Theatre, and the sprawling Agora, all of which are easily accessible on foot. To navigate these sites and share your photos without high costs, a local data solution is essential for avoiding the daily roaming fees now charged by most UK mobile networks.

The Ancient Heart of Side

Side (pronounced 'see-deh') is not your typical Turkish resort. While nearby Antalya is a bustling metropolis and Alanya is famous for its nightlife, Side offers a concentrated dose of history. The town was once a major port in ancient Pamphylia, and its ruins are remarkably well-preserved.

The Temple of Apollo and Athena

Perhaps the most photographed spot in the region, the Temple of Apollo stands at the very tip of the Side peninsula. Dating back to the 2nd century AD, the five remaining white Corinthian columns look particularly striking against the backdrop of the turquoise Mediterranean.

Visiting at sunset is a rite of passage for tourists. As the sun dips below the horizon, the marble glows orange. Because this is a popular spot, you will likely want to upload your photos immediately. However, using your UK SIM card here could be a costly mistake. Since Brexit, major UK providers like EE, Vodafone, and Three have reintroduced daily roaming charges for Turkey, often reaching £7 per day. By using a Turkey eSIM from UKRoamFree, you can see plans that cost less than a pint of beer for your entire trip, allowing you to post those sunset shots without fear of a bill shock when you return home.

The Great Roman Theatre

Located in the centre of the old town, the Theatre of Side is one of the largest in the region, once seating up to 15,000 spectators. Unlike many other Roman theatres built into hillsides, this one was constructed on arches to create its impressive height.

You can climb to the top rows for a panoramic view of the ancient city walls and the sea. The acoustics are still impressive today. If you are planning to visit other sites in the Antalya province, you might also be interested in using BiTaksi in Antalya to get around efficiently, as traditional taxis in tourist zones can be expensive.

Side Museum (The Roman Baths)

Just across from the theatre is the Side Museum, housed within a restored 5th-century Roman bath complex. It contains an exquisite collection of statues, sarcophagi, and coins found during local excavations. The setting itself is half the draw; walking through the ancient vaulted rooms gives you a real sense of the scale of Roman engineering.

Modern Side and the Harbor

After exploring the ruins, the harbor area offers a more relaxed atmosphere. The waterfront is lined with restaurants and cafes where you can watch the gulets (traditional wooden boats) come and go.

While the harbor has plenty of free Wi-Fi signs, these are often unsecured or require a Turkish phone number to receive an SMS code for access. This is where having your own dedicated data plan becomes invaluable. Our Turkey eSIMs provide data only, meaning you won't get a local number, but you can use WhatsApp, Messenger, and FaceTime for all your calls and texts using your existing UK number.

Navigating Connectivity in Turkey

For UK residents, the roaming landscape has changed significantly. If you are on a contract with O2, Vodafone, or Three, you might find that Turkey is no longer included in your 'European' roaming zone, or it requires a specific 'Passport' add-on that is billed daily.

UK Carrier Comparison for Turkey

Provider	Typical Daily Charge	Notes
EE	£2.47 - £7.84	Depends on your specific plan and add-ons.
Vodafone UK	£7.39	Usually charged per day unless you have a specific Global Roaming Plus plan.
Three	£5.00	Daily 'Go Roam' fee applies to most new contracts.
UKRoamFree	£0.00	One-off payment for a fixed data bundle. No daily fees.

If you are currently using a budget provider, you should check out our guide on SMARTY Mobile roaming in Turkey to see how those costs stack up against an eSIM.

Why Choose an eSIM for Side?

When you land at Antalya Airport (AYT), the primary gateway to Side, you will see kiosks for Turkcell, Türk Telekom, and Vodafone TR. While these offer 'Tourist SIMs', they are notoriously expensive, often costing £30 or more for a basic package. They also require you to hand over your passport for registration, which can take 20-30 minutes of your holiday time.

An eSIM allows you to skip the queues. You can see plans before you even leave the UK, download the profile, and have 5G data the moment your plane touches the tarmac. UKRoamFree connects to the two strongest networks in Turkey: Vodafone (5G) and Avea/Türk Telekom (5G). This ensures that whether you are deep in the ruins of the State Agora or lounging on East Beach, you have a reliable connection.

Data Needs by Activity

• Google Maps: 5MB per 10 minutes. Essential for finding the hidden 'Nymphaeum' (fountain) outside the city gate.
• Social Media Uploads: 2-5MB per high-res photo.
• WhatsApp Calling: Approx 1MB per minute.
• Streaming Video: 1GB per hour for HD.

For a week in Side, most travelers find that a 3GB or 5GB plan is more than sufficient. If you are a heavy user or staying longer, we offer plans up to 50GB that last for 180 days.

How to Set Up Your Turkey eSIM

Setting up your connection is straightforward. First, you should check if your phone is ready for eSIM technology. Most iPhones from the XR onwards and Samsung Galaxy S20 models and newer are compatible.

1. Purchase: Choose your plan and receive a QR code via email.
2. Scan: On an iPhone, go to Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM. On Android, go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM.
3. Activate: Scan the QR code. We recommend doing this at home or using the airport Wi-Fi upon arrival.
4. Data Roaming: Ensure 'Data Roaming' is turned ON for the new eSIM profile, but OFF for your primary UK SIM to avoid unexpected charges from your home provider.

For a more detailed walkthrough, follow our installation guide.

Beyond Side: Day Trips

Side is perfectly positioned for exploring the wider Antalya region.

• Manavgat Waterfall: Just a few miles inland, these wide, low waterfalls are a great spot for a shaded lunch.
• Aspendos: About 30 minutes away, this is home to the best-preserved Roman theatre in the world. It is still used for opera and ballet festivals today.
• Green Canyon: A boat trip through the Taurus Mountains offers stunning emerald waters.

In these more rural or mountainous areas, network coverage can vary. Because UKRoamFree uses both Vodafone and Türk Telekom, your phone will automatically switch to the strongest available signal, providing better coverage than a single-network local SIM might offer.

The bottom line

Side is a historical treasure that deserves your full attention, not your worry over mobile phone bills. By switching from expensive UK roaming to a Turkey eSIM, you gain access to 5G speeds on local networks for a fraction of the cost. Whether you are navigating the ancient ruins of the Temple of Apollo or booking a transfer back to the airport, staying connected has never been simpler or more affordable for UK travelers.